Treatment of Class III Multiple Gingival Recessions: A Randomized-Clinical Trial

Background: The aim of this controlled randomized split-mouth study was to evaluate whether a modified tunnel/connective tissue graft (CTG) technique - enamel matrix derivative (EMD) combination will improve the treatment of multiple class III recession when compared with the same technique alone. Materials and methods: 20 healthy subjects with a mean age of 31.7 years, were enrolled for the trial in a university periodontal clinic. Patients with at least 3 adjacent gingival recessions on both sides of the mouth were treated with a modified tunnel/CTG technique. On the test side, an EMD was used in addition. Clinical parameters were measured at baseline, 28 days, 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgery. Results are presented at the subject level. Results: The mean root coverage from baseline to 1 year post-surgery was 82 % for the test group and 83 % for the control group. Complete root coverage was achieved at 1 year in 8 (38 %) of the 20 surgeries (experimental and control group). Conclusions: 1-year results indicate that the modified tunnel/CTG technique is predictable for the treatment of multiple class III recession-type defects. The addition of EMD does not enhance the mean clinical outcomes.